I was so excited to see Madeline Miller's The Song of Achilles announced as the winner of the 2012 Orange Prize earlier this evening. I haven't managed to read all of the shortlist but I've read the majority of it and also the majority of the longlist - Song of Achilles was by far the stand out book. It's a retelling of the Trojan war from the point of view of Patroclus, the close companion of Achilles, but it's also a beautiful love story that had me crying in the final chapters. I didn't expect to love this book but once I started it, I couldn't put it down.
You can read my review here.
I hope both Miller and Song of Achilles get all the attention they deserve as a result of winning the prize. If you've not read Song of Achilles yet, what are you waiting for?
I thought of you immediately when I saw who won, just remembering how much you loved this book. I still haven't tracked down a copy, but definitely still will.
ReplyDeleteI have been pushing this book on to everyone I know for weeks now so I'm not surprised you thought of me :P
DeleteI was going to say that my TBR pile prevents me from checking it out at this time (which it kinda does), but I really think I have just overdone it on Trojan War books. I really want to read this, but I don't think I could appreciate it at the moment.
ReplyDeleteBest to wait until you are more in the mood for it then. What other Trojan War books would you recommend, out of interest?
DeleteWill definitely have to put this on my 'to read' list. I'm not normally that into this kind of book, but I'll try anything once!
ReplyDeleteLaura, I almost didn't read it because it's not my kind of book either. But it was most definitely worth going out of my comfort zone.
DeleteI actually put this one on hold at the library after reading your review. I've never read The Odyssey so I was a bit hesitant. It'll be ready any day now.
ReplyDeleteOoh, how exciting. Can't wait to see what you think!
DeleteThis is wonderful and also terrible! Now the line at the library queue will be a million miles long!
ReplyDeleteHaha, yes! I'm glad this is one of the shortlisted books I had already read as I imagine the queue has doubled or tripled overnight!
DeleteI obviously haven't kept up with the Orange Prize fiction this year because I haven't heard of the book before. It sounds like a great read though, and I love that cover!
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't one of the most publicised books on the shortlist, so I'm glad winning the prize will bring the author and book more attention.
DeleteI've just finished reading this book and really enjoyed it. I haven't read all the other shortlisted books but I'm pleased to see this one has won.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it :)
DeleteOooh, sounds good. Thanks for the heads up. I'll put it on my tbr. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing that we both got this right! I was at the airport waiting for my flight to Lyon and found out that Miller won the previous night. Happy for her. What a great prediction of yours it turned out to be. :)
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